PTSD: The Silent Epidemic
Police officers are a crucial part of maintaining order in the United States. The population is aware of PTSD present in members of the military, but thus far has failed to recognize the PTSD that takes form in those who are sworn to protect and serve. It is vital that PTSD in all aspects of society are addressed, so that it may bring awareness to the epidemic that is plaguing police departments across the country.
Before one can fully determine the effects of PTSD, one must know what it is. PTSD is shortened for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Typically, PTSD has four broad symptoms: reliving the event, which can manifest in nightmares, daydreams, or flashbacks; avoiding the situation that reminds one of the trauma; …show more content…
For police officers, the onset of PTSD is not automatic as it is for soldiers. Instead, the process for developing PTSD is much more gradual. The PTSD builds from multiple stress related experience. Professionals refer to this as Cumulative PTSD. Cumulative PTSD is oftentimes for dangerous than any other form. This type of PTSD is more likely to go unnoticed, and therefore is untreated. Unlike times after catastrophic event, officers don’t often consult with a trained professional and they internalize their experiences. This buildup of emotionally taxing events doesn’t garner any attention for someone in the position to help these struggling officers. For routine cops, mental traumatic injury can happen every day. Due to this, an officer can easily become a threat to himself and others
PTSD in officers doesn’t have a single root cause, but is rather a combination of things. Police who work with hostage situations and dangerous drug busts, are just as much at risk as those who respond to accidents that have fatalities and serious injuries. Even long hours, attitudes of the people around the officers, anticipation of the next call, office politics, and scrutiny can play a role with the onset of
Police officers are a crucial part of maintaining order in the United States. The population is aware of PTSD present in members of the military, but thus far has failed to recognize the PTSD that takes form in those who are sworn to protect and serve. It is vital that PTSD in all aspects of society are addressed, so that it may bring awareness to the epidemic that is plaguing police departments across the country.
Before one can fully determine the effects of PTSD, one must know what it is. PTSD is shortened for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Typically, PTSD has four broad symptoms: reliving the event, which can manifest in nightmares, daydreams, or flashbacks; avoiding the situation that reminds one of the trauma; …show more content…
For police officers, the onset of PTSD is not automatic as it is for soldiers. Instead, the process for developing PTSD is much more gradual. The PTSD builds from multiple stress related experience. Professionals refer to this as Cumulative PTSD. Cumulative PTSD is oftentimes for dangerous than any other form. This type of PTSD is more likely to go unnoticed, and therefore is untreated. Unlike times after catastrophic event, officers don’t often consult with a trained professional and they internalize their experiences. This buildup of emotionally taxing events doesn’t garner any attention for someone in the position to help these struggling officers. For routine cops, mental traumatic injury can happen every day. Due to this, an officer can easily become a threat to himself and others
PTSD in officers doesn’t have a single root cause, but is rather a combination of things. Police who work with hostage situations and dangerous drug busts, are just as much at risk as those who respond to accidents that have fatalities and serious injuries. Even long hours, attitudes of the people around the officers, anticipation of the next call, office politics, and scrutiny can play a role with the onset of